Pymnts Weekender news and trends

New York City Gives the Public Bathroom a Tap Card
The Weekender // September 26, 2026

New York City has found a new use for the tap card: opening a public toilet. The city is installing 17 modular bathrooms across its five boroughs. Visitors can unlock a door with a text message, QR code, app or card. The bathrooms are free, which may...

Santa Would Like a Word With Your Pumpkin
Retail // September 19, 2026

Santa has apparently checked his calendar and decided Halloween has had quite enough time. Amazon, Target and Walmart are lining up overlapping October sales, inviting consumers in the United States to buy Christmas presents while still considering whether the front yard skeleton needs a companion...

The Tooth Fairy Approves a 17% Raise
Digital Payments // September 12, 2026

The tooth fairy has approved a 17% pay increase, which is excellent news for anyone whose compensation package includes loose incisors. There was no performance review, no awkward conversation with a manager and no requirement to return to the office. The recipient simply went to...

Halloween Is Coming Early and Bringing AI With It
Retail // September 05, 2026

Labor Day traditionally tells Northeasterners to locate a sweater, inspect the foliage and pretend the beach chairs will be stored before Thanksgiving. This year, retailers have added another instruction. Begin thinking about Halloween immediately. The pumpkins have arrived, the skeletons have achieved architectural scale and...